Editor’s note: These two stories are a reminder that rhetoric can distort reality—and that words, whether used in trade debates or on a map, carry real political weight. President Trump’s claim that Mexico has little to offer beyond “tamales and tomatoes” overlooks the deep economic ties between the two countries: Mexico sent US$60.55 billion in goods to the United States in July alone, including vehicles, machinery, medical devices and fresh food. His proposal to rename New Mexico “New America,” meanwhile, dismisses a name rooted in the region’s history long before the United States existed—and one he has no authority to change. Together, these articles put recent headlines in their proper context: Mexico’s economic importance and historical presence in North America are far greater than a sound bite or a social-media post can suggest.